Swift Millionth Image Mosaic

This mosaic of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is created from images of astronomical objects captured by the satellite’s Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope which recently captured its millionth image. Each tile is 52 x 39 pixels, and at maximum resolution, the entire mosaic is 5,252 x 3,744 pixels. Zoom in to see each tile more clearly.

Credit: NASA/Swift and AndreaMosaic

The Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope (UVOT) aboard the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory captured its millionth image on May 13, 2018. It took an image of an active galaxy called 2MASX J16110570+0234002, which scientists think exhibited some unusual behavior. A mosaic, created using images UVOT has taken since Swift launched in 2004, celebrates this major milestone for the mission.

UVOT monitors the optical and ultraviolet afterglow of gamma-ray bursts, the most powerful explosions in the universe. Swift’s two other instruments observe these bursts in X-rays and gamma rays. The explosions only last for a few seconds, but Swift can autonomously respond to a burst detection within two minutes and bring the event into view for follow-up observations.

Swift was renamed in January 2018 to honor the late Neil Gehrels, who served as the mission’s principle investigator.

This colorized image is the millionth captured by the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory’s Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope. The bright dot at the center of the frame is the active galaxy 2MASX J16110570+0234002 located in the direction of the constellation Serpens Caput. Scientists think the galaxy’s behavior is unusual and are working to understand what might be the cause.

This colorized image is the millionth captured by the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory’s Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope. The bright dot in the circle is the active galaxy 2MASX J16110570+0234002. The image is centered in the constellation Serpens and is 9.6 arcminutes across. Scientists think the galaxy’s behavior is unusual and are working to understand what might be the cause.